There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Noted in Henderson's clarification that CH had three abnormal markers in his recent blood tests. Accepted that horses can't tell u much directly but do trainers rely too much on blood testing and scoping findings of mucus?
I've permanently got phlegm in the back of my throat and as a medic know we can tell a little from blood tests and acute illness [different forms of white blood cell counts go up with some infections, and there are some general inflammatory markers such as CRProtein and sedimentation rates that can alert you to a body's immune system being activated.
But is this 'trainers and their blood tests' theorising more myth than science? I'm not sure it is that reliable for fairly huge decisions but 'better safe than sorry' maybe as hard physical over training when acutely ill or recovering can be serious or fatal rarely.
I've permanently got phlegm in the back of my throat and as a medic know we can tell a little from blood tests and acute illness [different forms of white blood cell counts go up with some infections, and there are some general inflammatory markers such as CRProtein and sedimentation rates that can alert you to a body's immune system being activated.
But is this 'trainers and their blood tests' theorising more myth than science? I'm not sure it is that reliable for fairly huge decisions but 'better safe than sorry' maybe as hard physical over training when acutely ill or recovering can be serious or fatal rarely.
sort by:
Show
per page
Replies: 26
|
By:
I had a look whe they were spouting about Neutrophils and best I could see was Serum Amyloid A (SAA) as an inflammatory marker , the Alicia Long paper 2020 . We need some stables input .
|
|
By:
Yes, in general.
But in the specific case of Constitution Hill, it was his poor gallop at Kempton which sounded the alarm, as would have been the case 50 or 100 years ago; scopes and blood tests came afterwards. |
|
By:
I'll phone a friend!!
Hope CH feels better soon - its a hard life being a hurdler esp after they cut your bollocks off! |
|
By:
My uncle many moons ago had cancelled a game of squash with his m8 several times so felt he had to go and play him finally .......problem was he was suffering with quite a bad cold....he thought he would be alright and half way through the game dropped dead.....i never forget the image of my dad when he found out....he went out the garden and was hitting his head against the wall....broke his heart
 . So I think personally Henderson correct as if you are not pretty much feeling 100% you should imo never over exert yourself |
|
By:
Cant think of them offhand , but there are several performances that gave rise to the saying ' beware the injured athlete ' .
|
|
By:
I can only, sadly, speak from personal experience. In the last 2 months I had 2 blood tests which indicated a high(er) risk of prostate and lung cancer. The former was confirmed by biopsy, the latter, fortunately, was not confirmed by a CT scan. In both cases I was told that the blood was indicative only and merely warranted further examination. Caught early so I am told all will be well once treated.
|
|
By:
gl with that dp, all the best
|
|
By:
Best of luck DP and a full recovery
|
|
By:
Best of luck D.P
|
|
By:
thanks chaps. Hardest part is sorting out which mid-summer meetings I will ditch! Royal Ascot is a must......probably ditch the Eclipse and July meeting and hope to be on parade for Glorious.
|
|
By:
A bit more up market DP than my probable, Newcastle, Redcar, Hamilton, Thirsk, Carlisle and Pontefract lol
|
|
By:
best of luck donegal
|
|
By:
Good luck with your treatment and recovery D.P . Just got back off a 2 week holiday with a mate who had prostate cancer and had his prostate removed 12 months ago. He was in great health .
|
|
By:
Best of luck Donegal Prince.
|
|
By:
Best of luck from me too Donegal Prince.
|
|
By:
Yep - mostly for vet's fees!! [from the horses mouth!]
|
|
By:
thanks for all the best wishes. Sorry. I didn't mean to highjack a thread.
|
|
By:
I won't bore you with my medical history but basically my liver is fecked and i have 6 monthly blood tests for pretty much everything (cancer included) as quite obviously they indicate at the very least general health. It's moved on massively in the last 50 years and is obv the same for horses. If anyone thinks trainers of yore would not have used them if they could they is an eejit innit guv.
Btw don't ever pay for a blood test at those rip off places, just go to your doc and say you want one as are feeling generally unwell. I'd be very wary of any test that i've paid for a result for as if you look hard enough you can find something wrong - or potentially wrong - that doesn't need treating that they 'treat' you for and pay for it. Prob some supplement that they massively overcharge you for. |
|
By:
No problem DP, good luck too. And yes blood tests can be very sophisticated with amazing advances in medical knowledge now but these are not to my knowledge specific for diagnosing a horse's general fitness, merely that a significant infection / inflammatory response is ongoing or recovering - and quantifiably it is just experience that tells the trainer or vet when its suitable or safe to restart training again.
|
|
By:
He's doing normal work, and he'd go to Punchestown. I hope so too to do battle with State Man, and reclaim his crown as the Champion Hurdle; 2/1 for next year's renewal.
|
|
By:
good auld nicko most likely next run the FIGHTING FIFTH,weather permitting
HERE WE GO AGAIN HERE WE GO AGAIN, at least the fa cup final,boat race,ascot gold cup and IACGMOOH have been ruled out this year  |
|
By:
|
|
By:
Nicky should be able to get him back in time for at least the Greenham so the Guineas is still on.
|
|
By:
Come on boys! Give the man a chance to repent otherwise the beast could go across the Irish Sea.
|
|
By:
Next stop Newcastle in November IMO, who knows, he might even have a certain Mare from Ireland rocking up against him, they'll want to know exactly where they stand with her before the festival with the Mares as the fall back if it turns out she's not up to it...they'll have to find out beforehand so it will her being tested in Ireland or England at some point.
|
|
By:
I think Lossiemouth is over-rated for what she's done this season or beaten eg Love Envoi. She won The Triumph last season beating little eg Gala Marceau and Zarak The Brave; the Champion Hurdle is an entirely different ball game.
I'd have Constitution Hill any day (if he's sound) against Lossiemouth. I remember Samcro rocking up in the Fighting 5th as the 2nd coming and challenging the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air after winning the Neptune convincingly. I think Ballyburn is another over-hyped horse to be a serious Champion Hurdle contender. I'll probably back State Man against Ballyburn over 2m. |